Dementia can indeed cause people to forget to lock doors at night. This is primarily due to the cognitive impairments associated with dementia, which affect memory, judgment, and executive functioning—the mental skills needed to plan and carry out tasks such as locking doors. People with dementia often experience memory loss that can make them forget routine actions, including securing their home before bedtime.
One common behavior in dementia is wandering, which can occur both during the day and at night. Wandering may be driven by confusion, disorientation, or a desire to perform familiar past routines. For example, a person with dementia might wake up at night, become disoriented, and leave the house without locking the door behind them. This nighttime confusion is sometimes linked to a phenomenon called “sundowning,” where symptoms like agitation and confusion worsen in the late afternoon or evening hours. Sundowning can increase the risk of unsafe behaviors such as leaving doors unlocked or wandering outside unsupervised[2][3].
Medical experts recognize that memory loss in dementia affects the ability to remember safety-related tasks. This is why many caregivers and healthcare providers emphasize the importance of environmental modifications and safety measures. These can include installing door alarms, using locks that are harder to open, or creating safe walking areas inside the home to reduce the risk of wandering and leaving doors unlocked[2].
The safety concerns around unlocked doors are significant because people with dementia who wander may become lost or exposed to danger. Some care facilities use locked memory care units to prevent residents from leaving unsupervised, which is considered a safety measure to protect individuals with dementia. However, there is also a growing movement advocating for balancing safety with autonomy, as overly restrictive environments can negatively impact quality of life. This debate highlights the complexity of managing dementia care, especially regarding freedom of movement and safety precautions[1].
In summary, dementia-related memory loss and confusion can cause people to forget to lock doors at night. This is linked to the cognitive decline inherent in the disease, including impaired memory and judgment, as well as behaviors like wandering and sundowning. Care strategies often involve environmental adjustments and supervision to mitigate these risks while considering the individual’s dignity and autonomy[1][2][3].
Sources:
[1] KPBS, Dementia housing without locked wards? It’s a small but growing movement, 2025
[2] Dementia Australia, Wandering and safety, 2025
[3] AOL, Doctors Say This Nighttime Behavior Can Be A Sign Of Dementia, 2025
